[Via Satellite 10-05-2015] Ball Aerospace has integrated the propulsion subsystem from Aerojet Rocketdyne into the spacecraft bus for NASA’s Green Propellant Infusion Mission (GPIM). The experimental satellite, which uses the U.S. Air Force Research Lab-developed non-toxic fuel AF-M315E, is now in system performance and environmental testing ahead of its 2016 launch date.

&#8220;GPIM is the key mission to demonstrate a green monopropellant alternative to hydrazine,&#8221; said Jim Oschmann, vice president and general manager of civil space at Ball Aerospace. &#8220;Everyone in the industry, from NASA to our industry partners to green propellant suppliers, is eager to see 10 years of American-led research and development realized with this spaceflight mission.&#8221;

The satellite, built on the Ball Commercial Platform (BCP-100), will also carry three hosted payloads for the Department of Defense (DoD) Experiments Review Board (SERB). GPIM is Ball’s third BCP-100 mission.